Stop waiting for Friday, for summer, for someone to fall in love with you, for life.  Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for it, and instead make the most of the moment you are in Now.  – Unknown

It is something I hear often: I can’t wait for summer so that I can finally go hiking. I can’t wait for it to stop raining so that I can finally enjoy the outdoors. I can’t wait for this so that I can do that.

Wait no longer!

It’s true that some things are more enjoyable in the summer than they are during winter. I get it. But it is also true that there is no inadequate weather; only inadequate clothing and modes of transportation.

Realize that each season brings something magical!

I remember the first time I shifted my thinking. If I was tired of being stuck indoors during winter or feeling tied to the city because the mountains ‘were not drivable’, why was I not doing anything to change things? Granted, I could not change the weather.

So instead, I changed my attitude toward winter. That year I learned how to snowboard. Finding something I could enjoy during winter is what triggered a newfound love toward the snowy season.

Fast forward to today — I still dread winter driving, and I still do not own an appropriate vehicle that I can fully trust in the snow. However, I haven’t stopped finding creative ways to enjoy the outdoors despite the weather.

The seasons may change, but so do we! I realize the PNW has now shifted into spring, but we can easily apply this to the various seasons of our lives. If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting for something to happen, make it your goal to quit the waiting games. We can either change our circumstances or we can change our attitude.

…Either our mind can become a beautiful servant or a dangerous master (Osho).

Love & Magic,

Denise

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HEATHER MEADOWS, MT. BAKER

This winter season I decided to try something new! We rented an SUV and a pair of snowshoes for the weekend, and we headed to one of my favorite places in the Pacific Northwest! Snowshoeing has easily become one of my new favorite things to do in the winter :)  Heather Meadows is GORGEOUS during summer/fall. But it is equally breathtaking in its winter coat…Holy wow!

Pointer: I often warn friends about winter/spring hiking in the PNW. Just because the drive starts looking like this…

Does not mean that in a matter of minutes, it cannot start turning into this…

The roads became worse toward the mountaintop, and it was even snowing in some parts. This road is also highly dangerous under icy conditions, so please always check the weather before a trip (No photos because I was nervous for the drive. Hahaha…)

Until snowshoes!

One of my favorite humans :)

Mt. Baker seriously has some of the most incredible mountain views.

The perfect reminder to stay grounded…

Our spirits are limitless, but our vessels are incredibly small. Beautiful specks!

Avalanches are real, remember. 

Underestimating their strength could be deadly. But in that moment, all we could do was admire the trail of this beauty…

What a perfect day this was! We experienced sunshine, fog, snowfall, wind, and calmness all within a few hours.

And back down the mountain. Thanks for stopping by, dear friends …time to get outside :)

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Stay curious, wild hearts!

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